Tracking the Ball: A Pickleball Essential

I know I have written about tracking the ball before…but it cannot be emphasized too much. It is perhaps the most important factor impacting a player’s ability to anticipate and prepare for the next shot.

tracking the ball
arms extended

Many players rest their arms against their body when I ask them to get in a ready position.  Instead, I want you to think of the movie Dirty Dancing…specifically when Johnny teaches Baby about the importance of a strong frame. Like a frame in dancing…you need space between your arms and your body for two reasons:

  1. You want to be able to engage your shoulders and your hips when you swing. Bending your elbows and resting them against your body prevents this from happening.
  2. Our tendency when holding the paddle near our body is to allow the ball to get too close to us.  Our natural reaction is to step or lean back. In pickleball, like in life, we always want to move forward.
Non-Dominant hand
It is also important to engage your non-dominant hand.  First, allow the paddle to rest on it. I often tell my students to imagine holding a beach ball between their arms. Not enough space for the beach ball means your arms are too close…dropping your non-dominant hand to your side means your beach ball will fall. Secondly, note above I said I want you to engage your non-dominant hand. By this I mean, I want you to track the ball with the paddle…maintaining your frame throughout the movement. This is critically important to enabling you to lead with the opposite shoulder.
Toes to head

When I work with a student on tracking the ball, I emphasize starting at your toes and maintaining alignment all the way to the head. You start with your toes toward the ball. Next, your hips. You move your core and shoulders, allowing your head to move smoothly to the side.  It really is very much like a dance…a smooth, rhythmic motion that utilizes your entire body.

If you still have questions on tracking the ball…watch the following video.

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